LOWELL -- Last Thursday, teachers and administrators of the Lowell Collegiate Charter School officially moved their boxes across the way to a new modular building that will serve as a temporary home for the time being.

The Collegiate Charter School officially opened in September, after a challenging summer when the school leaders ardently sought a location so their facility could get up and running. The new modular unit is now in the rear parking lot of the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church off Father John Sarantos Way.

About 280 students, along with staff, will officially move to the school's permanent location on Middlesex Street at the old Bradford Industries warehouse site next fall.

For now, a modular structure will serve as home base and Director Joseph McCleary says the building will likely be torn down before the full-blown move in 2014.

The structure at the church site houses eight classrooms for first- through third-grade students. Kindergartners are attending class on the first floor of the church. Next year, at the 1857 Middlesex St. location, the school will expand to house students from kindergarten up to grade 6.

Though the state Department of Education says it's not uncommon for a charter facility to hold off its opening because of the difficulty in establishing a new school, McCleary said they were determined to open.

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The team originally planned to offer room for students up through fifth grade this year but due to space limitations, the school was reserved for only kindergarten through third-grade students. Deferred students at the fourth- and fifth-grade level will have guaranteed spots next year and McCleary explained once the school hits its cap, the school plans to revert to a lottery system for admission.

The charter school boasts a challenging and rigorous environment for students and vows to prepare them for college, starting at an early age.

Lowell Collegiate Charter School has moved into a new temporary building near Father Sarantos Way. Sun/Bob Whitaker

Students attend class from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. every school day, on a yearly schedule that coincides with the other Lowell public schools. The school requires its students to abide by a code of conduct, to wear school uniforms and even has "prefects," or exemplary students, their peers can rely on for guidance and help in class.

McCleary said ideally the school would rely entirely on student leadership, which is an initiative that comes from the school's operator Sabis Educational Systems.

"It's kind of risky to say this," McCleary said on a walk-through of the new building, "but the ultimate of the Sabis school would be the students could run almost everything."

The charter school, which is still a public school operated by its board of trustees, brought on McCleary in August.

The former principal of the Academy of Notre Dame in Tyngsboro, he also has experience with charter schools. McCleary led the Malden-based Mystic Valley Regional Charter School from 2007 to 2012.

"I saw the good that could come to a community through charter schools," he said. "I think they bring a refreshing level of challenge and rigor and high expectations."

He said charter schools often face a unique challenge because some people may have misconceptions about what the schools are like. He said the Lowell community has been very welcoming overall.

"Charters bring a great benefit to public education across the state...," he said. "They offer a choice for parents who want the best for their children and their children's education."

McCleary said for now, the school is excited to see how their first year works out.

Sabis' Director of Business Development Jose Afonso was unable to confirm the costs to build the new structure on Middlesex Street as well as the one off John Sarantos Way and the school's cost to lease the new space at the church on Monday.

Christian Zouzas, the president of the Transfiguration church, previously told The Sun the lease was a six-figure deal.

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